41 years of Blockbuster Video

The first Blockbuster Video store opened on the 19th October 1985.

A sign at the former Blockbuster Video shop at Fallowfield Retail Park Manchester, England in 2020

The first Blockbuster Video store opened in Dallas, Texas, USA on this day in 1985.

The former Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton, England in 2021

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 stores around the world. 500-plus of those were in the UK.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Billingham, England in 2021

From 9,000 to 1.

There is now just one Blockbuster Video store left open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

There has been a boom in nostalgia for the brand in recent years. The Bend store is now a destination for people wanting to rekindle some of that 90's spirit.

Blockbuster in the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of that year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The last stores closed on the 16th December.

Even now, there are still some clearly visible remnants of the brand on the high street and on retail parks. And we've been to most of them on our travels!

Related blog posts:

• Blockbuster Video
• Video Stores
• Video Shops

Videos:

• Blockbuster Video in the UK YouTube Playlist

Holey Moley Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas, USA

A look at the Holey Moley Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Many thanks to our friend and fellow minigolf fan PJ Goedhals for sending over these photos from his very recent stop in San Antonio, Texas where he briefly swung by the Holey Moley Golf Club.

The official scorecard of Holey Moley Golf Club

Visiting the Holey Moley Golf Club in San Antonio.

Emily was able to swing by the venue on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour during a trip to San Antonio in 2025.

Holey Moley Golf Club in San Antonio.

The Holey Moley Golf Club in San Antonio is home to three 9-hole indoor mini golf courses.

Holey Moley Golf Clubs in the USA.

You can find Holey Moley Golf clubs in California (Irvine Spectrum, San Francisco & Santa Monica), Colorado (Denver) and Texas (Austin, Houston & San Antonio).

Holey Moley in Australia.

The Holey Moley brand began in Australia and you can find several locations there.

Find out more.

Visit the Holey Moley Golf Club USA and Holey Moely Australia websites for more information.

Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

A look at Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA.

A big thank you to my friend and fellow minigolf fan PJ Goedhals for sending over these photos from he and his family's visit to Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA.

Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas is home to two outdoor 18-hole minigolf courses - the Seaside and Jungle layouts.

PJ and his family swung by for a round on the Seaside course at Magic Carpet Golf.

A minigolf toilet hole

Inside the lavvy!

The last hole

Scorecards from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

Scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

Scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

Find out more about Magic Carpet Golf

Check out the Magic Carpet Golf website for more information.

Magic Carpet Golf on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

My brother, and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, Christopher and his family recently played the two courses at Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston back in November 2021.

Related blog posts:

• Magic Carpet Golf
• PJ Goedhals
• Guest blog posts